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Topic Review (Newest First)

11-28-2012 07:46 AM

sub-80

1 of the 4 true sae died, probably from algaecide. 1 MIA

11-27-2012 11:27 PM

garfieldnfish

It seems amazing the variety of peoples experiences with these fish. I have kept both CAEs and SAEs for many years. This is what I have found:

Only SAEs will eat hair algae (and they will do so all of their life, providing there is no other food source that is more tasty and easier to eat, like flakes). CAEs will not ever eat hair algae not even when they are small. CAEs can become agressive toward conspecies as well as flat bodied fish they can attach themselves to and eat the slime coat off of. SAEs will not become agressive against fish of their own kind. They like each others company like otos do. I have never seen them getting agressive and I have had several groups of them in numerous tanks. Anyone that will tell you that theirs did, probably ended up with Flying Foxes and not SAEs. A 30 gal is a bare minimum for 2 SAEs as they are active swimmers, but they will survive in a tank that size.

Your parrot fish might be ok if they are fast. I never had any so I can't judge them well enough but they are large bodied fish. The CAEs may see them as a target but then again they may not. Something you need to watch for when you move the CAEs to the parrots tank.

11-27-2012 09:23 PM

LS6 Tommy

I have (1) 4"+ SAE. He grazes a little on the glass & some of the less delicate plants, but really didn't make much difference even when he was small & not the only SAE in the tank. You really can't expect them to do too much.

Tommy

11-27-2012 10:04 AM

OVT

CAE get aggressive really fast. Catching them is another another adventure.

11-27-2012 07:52 AM

sub-80

2 True SAE went missing or are hiding behind the driftwood.

11-26-2012 12:06 AM

sub-80

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hmoobthor

also thats alot of SAE and CAE for that tank..

Yeah, wanted to get rid of the algae as fast as possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SINcity

Perhaps you have "algae frustration" don't blame your fish

wow did expect anyone to defend the fishys.

Am gonna go a bit harder on the algae and turn off the light off for the whole day, today.

11-25-2012 09:35 PM

SINcity

Perhaps you have "algae frustration" don't blame your fish

11-25-2012 09:22 PM

mistergreen

Try reducing your lights. The algae crew is there to manage algae, not eliminate them.
There are certain algae that no fish will take on.

11-25-2012 07:25 PM

dmagerl

I just put an SAE in my tank. The first thing it did was seek out each and every pond snail and nibble the shell of the snail. I probably have the cleanest most algae free pond snails in the world.

The tank, not so much.

11-25-2012 07:02 PM

Hmoobthor

I have one SAE and when it grew big and fat...it stop killing any algae...but eat only process food...

Have to let it go...didn't do much for my tank anymore

also thats alot of SAE and CAE for that tank..

11-25-2012 12:15 PM

Fdsh5

I just got rid of mine for the same reason. I replaced them with ottos and threw in some of my cull shrimp. The angels don't mind. They haven't eaten the shrimp yet. They're too busy chasing each other to even notice and with all the vals in the tank, they'll probably never see them

11-25-2012 11:53 AM

hobos

when mine got to be 4 inches long i brought them back to big als they didnt want to take them because they lose there algea eating skills

11-25-2012 08:33 AM

sub-80

Yeah, I guess so, but when they get 4" long I most likely drop them in the other tank (350 liter = 90 gallon). The tank has 5-8" red parrot fish, which are aggressive. They tend to eat small fish so I need the SAE to grow enough to not be eaten so easily.

11-25-2012 03:45 AM

DogFish

Agreed

Once the Algae is under control a 30 gal tank might be best with only 2 SAEs.

As your fish grow the CAE will be less interested in the Algae and may start to get nasty with other fish. Don't be surprised if you find a jumper or two. The SAEs will get a aggressive with each other.

I had two about 1.5" when I got them. Around 2.5 " they started to fight and eventually one jumped out. I have the one 4" now 6mos. later in a 40gl. I would not add a 2nd one now. when he gets around 5" I'll trade him in to the LFS and get another small 1" size SAE and start again.

11-25-2012 03:22 AM

msawdey

Quote:

Originally Posted by sub-80

I have 4 true SAE, which are between 1-2 inches, the 2 Chinese SAE are 2 inches.

I have 120 liter (30 gallon) tank, should I get more? They are rare in my country I might no see some for a year or two not until someone personally orders them.

DO NOT GET MORE

I have had 6 in my 50 gallons for about 9 months now. THEY ARE HUGE. They will only keep growing

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